We are first time visitors and would like to see as much of the country as possible. We plan on taking the train to Luxor, Aswan and back and would like some information on what we will see from the train. Should we go one way by day and sleeper the other way?
Reply to this I did the day train one way and the night train the other way - but preferred the day train - not only was it cheaper, but you do get to see a lot more (of course). I cannot really recall what exactly I saw, but do remember that is was a pleasant way to spend a day. You are most likely to glimpse Egyptian towns in addition to the villages and farming areas inbetween. Don't think I saw that much of the Nile.
Reply to this Hi - we took the night train from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor to Cairo. There was enough daylight to see many small home sights along the way. The benefit was that we had breakfast and dinner plus a comfortable night's sleep built into the price of the train ticket.
We are Americans and over 65 years old. We found this a great way to cover lots of distance.
For another part of the trip we took a cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The cruise ship was a terrific way to pass 2 nights and 3 days with stops for 2 beautiful temples and time to watch the local scenery and life that were living along the way. We left the ship and spent the day in Luxor - it is just spectacular. We also went 300 miles into the desert to the White Desert National Park and tent-camped for one night - a simply fabulous experience with a sky that was blacker and more filled with stars than I have ever seen. The desert segment was traveled in a car with driver. Our Egypt based organizer was Fortune Tours - but we traveled by ourselves with a guide at key points. They were terrific organizers.
Reply to this Thanks for the replies, I think that we will take the night train from Cairo to Luxor and see if we want to return by the day train. We will spend 4 days there, then go on to Aswan. Haven't decided the mode of transportation to Aswan yet and still want to go to Abu Simbel, What was the name of the cruise ship that you took and what were your thoughts of it?
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